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(N0 Model 2 SheetsSheet',1. G. I. BULEN.

AUTOMATIC TESTING APPARATUS FOR TELBGRAPHIO FIRE ALARM STATIONS PatentedFeb. 6, 1883.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2, G. I. B-ULEN AUTOMATIC TESTING APPARATUSFOR TELEGRAPHIG FIRE ALARM STATIONS.

No. 271,598. j Patented Feb. 6, 1883.

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GEORGE F. BULEN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE WAT- KINSAUTOMATIC SIGNAL TELEGRAPH COMPANY, (LIMITED,) OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC TESTING APPARATUS FOR TELEGRAPHIC FIRE-ALARM STATIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent vI!\To. 271,598, datedFebruary 6, 1883'.

Application filed August 1, 1682. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. BULEN, a citizen of the United States,residing in Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin AutomaticTesting Apparatus for Telegraphic Fire-Alarm Stations, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to the application of certain automatic testingdevices to signal boxes of the type commonly employed in districtfire-alarm telegraph systems for automatically transmittingpredetermined signals to a central station in the event of theoccurrence ofa fire or other emergency requiring assistance in thebuilding in which the particular signal-box is situated. The efficiencyof the protection furnished by systems of this class depends upon eachof the signal-boxes being at all times in perfect working order,

and to render it certain that such will be the case ithas heretoforebeen necessary to employ inspectors whose duty it is to examine atfrequent intervals the signal-boxes and apparatus at each station.

The object of my invention is to provide mechanism which is preferablyemployed in connection with the signal-box ateach substation forautomatically transmitting the designating-signal of that station to thecentral office at stated times, provided the apparatus and circuits arein their normal or operative condition. Should, however, any part of theapparatus at a sub-station become for any reason inoperative, thetesting-signal will fail to be transmitted at the proper time, and theattendant at the central office will thus be notified that the apparatusat that particular station is out of order and requires attention. In

this manner the services of a regularinspector may be dispensed with,and it is only necessary to visitthe individual signal-boxes when it isknown by-means of the automatic apparatus that they are not in workingorder.

5 To this end my invention consists in mechanism so organized as toautomatically transmit a predetermined designating-signal to a centralstation whenever required for protective or other purposes, incombination with a circuit-breaking device actuated by a timetrain orchronometer-movement and arranged to automatically set in operation atstated intervals the said signal-transmitting device,

thereby causing the predetermined designat ing-signal to be transmittedto the central station.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figure l is afront elevation of a signal-box with its automatic signal-transmittingmechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the signal-transmitting mechanism,together with a portion of the mechanism for controlling the same; andFig. 3 is a theoretical diagram, showing the arrangement of electriccircuits as well as certain details of'construction.

Referring to the drawings. A represents a suitable'case for inclosingand protecting the apparatus, which is preferably provided with a hingedor removable door, A.

Secured within the case A is a metallic frame, B, for supporting thevarious parts of the signal-transmitting and time-train mechanism. Thesignal-transmitting mechanism consists of a rotating circuit-breakingwheel, 0, ofthe usual well-known construction, against 7 the peripheryof which rest two metallic contact-springs, c c, which are brought intoelectrical connection with each other when thus in contact with thewheel. Suitable recesses or notches. 0 are formed in the periphery ofthe wheel G, which, during the revolution of the latter in the directionindicated by the arrow, are made to pass successively beneath the tipsof the springs c and c, and thus interrupt the electrical connectionbetween them. The recesses c are arranged in successive groups, in amanner well understood, for transmitting any required numerical signalby thns interrupting the circuit a greater or less number of times.driven by a spring or other like motive power, is provided for impellingthe circuit-breaking wheel, when the same is released from the detainingmechanism,hereinafter described. One of the contact-springs, c, iselectrically united 5 by a wire, 1, with the binding-post W, while theremaining contact-spring, c, is connected by a wire, 2, through thecoils of an electro- A suitable train of clock-work, E,

magnet, F, with the binding-post X. The main line L, proceeding from thebattery 0 at the central office, is attached to the bindingpost \V, and,through the circuit-connections of the instrument, as described, withthe bindingpost X, from which it extends to the succeeding stations ofthe system in order, and thence returns to the opposite pole of thebattery.

It will be evident from the preceding description that whenever thecircuit-breaking or transmitting wheel 0 is caused to revolve thenormally-closed circuit of the main line L and battery 0 will beinterrupted each time a recess 0 passes beneath the contact-springs cand c, and these interruptions are utilized at the central otl'iee toactuate any suitable re ceiving or recording instrument, m, or to soundan alarm.

For the purpose of protecting the building at which the signal-box islocated against fire or burglary, I provide an auxiliary conductor, 5 67, which traverses the btxilding and includes in its circuit suitablethermostats and other forms of circuit-breakers, as indicated at M N,and which normally short-circuits and demagnetizes the electromagnet F,thus allowing its armature to fall away from the poles of the magnet,and thereby bringing a detent into the path of the signal-transmittingmechanism, which causes the latter to remain inactive so long as theauxiliary circuit is complete. The mechanism which I employ for thuslocking the signaling device consists of a detent-arm, f, attached tothe armature-lever f of the electro magnet F, and moving therewith. Thisarm f is pivoted, together with the armatnre-leverf, atf, and when thearmature F is drawn upward by means of a retractile spring, f which isthe case when the electromagnet F is demagnetized, the arm f projectsinto the path of a pin, g. extending from the axis of theescapement-wheel G of the mechanism which actuates thesignal-transmitting wheel G. thereby arresting the movement of themechanism.

Mounted upon the same axis, 0, with the circuit-breaking wheel 0 is adrnm,(J againstthe periphery of which pressesan L-shaped arm,f",extending from the axisf of the armature-leverf, and, during the time asignal is being transmitted, serving to retain the arm f out of the pathot'the detent g. A notch or recess, 0", however, is i'ormedin theperiphery of the drum C at the point where the arm f rests when thecircuit-breaking wheel has completed onerevolution. The arm f", byfallinginto this recess, allows the arm f to be carried into the pathofthe detent 9, thus locking the mechanism, in case the armature F is inits backward position, away from its electromagnet F, as when thesignal-transmitting mechanism has been released by a single shortelectric impulse transmitted through the electro-n'iagnet; butit', onthe other hand, the armature F re mains attracted to the magnet F, thearm f will be held away from the detent g and the circuit-breaking wheelwill continue to revolve, repeating its signal at each revolution.

The auxiliary conductor 5 and (i, for shortcircuiting the electro-magnetF and normally allowing the arm f to be drawn away from the poles of themagnet, extends from the contact-spring 0 to a binding-post, Z, andthence through the building to be protected, including in its course theseveral circuit-breakers within the building, as indicated at N and M,thence to the binding-post Y, which is electrically unitedwith thebinding-post X. Thus it will be understood that so long as the circuitclosers or detectors M N, 850., are in their normal condition theelectro-magnet F (which is preferably so constructed as to oll'er aconsiderable resistance to the current) is shunted, and is therefore notsufficiently magnetized to cause its armature F to overcome the tensionof the retractile springf. If, however, the shunt-circuit- 5 6 be brokenat any point, the main-line current from the battery 0 will pass throughthe magnet F, causing its armature to be attracted, thereby removing thearm f from the path of the detent g, releasing the mechanism, andcausing the signaLtransmitting wheel to rotate. So long as the arma tureF remains attracted to the poles of'the magnet F the signal-transmittingwheel will continue to revolve, and the designating-signal of that boxwill be repeated to the central station once during each revolution.\Vhen from any cause the auxiliary circuit 5 6 is again closed, thearmature F will be drawn away from the magnet F by the retractilespring, and the arm f will press against the periphery of the drum C Thearm f will,

however, be held out of the path of the detent g until the signal hasbeen completed by the arrival of the wheel 0 at its starting-point, whenthe arm j will again fall into the notch 0', thus allowing the arm f tocome into the path of the detent g and arrest the signaltransmittingmechanism.

For the purpose of transmitting a test-signal to the central station atregular intervals, thereby assuring the attendant that the apparatus isin workingorder, 1 provide a clock-Work or chronometer mechanism, thefunction of which is to operate at stated intervals a circuit-breakingdevice interposed in the path of the auxiliary or shunt circuit whichspans the electro-inagnet F. It is evident that such a. device willcause the sigln'tl-transmitting wheel to be actuated whenever saiddevice is in a position to break the auxiliary or shunt circuit. Thecircuit-breaking device which I prefer to employ for this purposeconsists of a metallic sector-wheel, H, against the side of which restsa contact-spring, I. The wheel H is placed in electrical connection withthe conductor5,leading from one contact-spring, c, of thesignaltransmitting wheel 0, and the contact-spring I is placed inconnection with the conductor leading to the binding-post Z. The wheel His normally in the position to close the circuit with the contact-springI; but it is caused to revolve'in the direction indicated by the arrowthrough theinstrumentality of asuitable clockwork mechanism, J, drivenby a coiled spring in the manner of an ordinary time-piece. The wheel His mounted upon an axis, h, and connected with that shaft of thetime-train carrying the index-hands j by means of a toothed wheel, H,and a pinion, j, which causes't-he wheel H to complete a revolution onceduring every twelve hours or during any other required time. A sectionof the wheel H is cut away, as shown at It, from the periphery towardthe axis h, and the slot thus formed passes beneath the end of thecontact-brush I once in each revolution, thereby disconnecting orinterrupting the auxiliary 0r shunt circuit 5 G. In this manner it isevident that the signaling-wheel will be released at a particular momentonce in each-twelve hours, or other stated interval, the electro-magnetF magnetized, and a test-signal transmitted to the central office.

For the purpose of preventing the signal from being repeated a number oftimes when the mechanism is actuated by means of the testing device, aswould'be the case were the shunt-circuit 5 6 to continue broken by theslot h" remaining beneath the contact-spring I until carried beyond itby the slow revolution of the lime-train mechanism, I provide an arm, K,for moving the disk H upon its axis independently of the clockmechanism, thereby causing the shunt-circuit to be again closed atthemoment the operation of transmitting the signal has been completed. Thearm K is pivoted at a point, k, beneath the transmitting-wheel G, and isnormally held back toward the circuit-breaking wheel 0 by meansof aspring, is. A pin, k extends from the transmitting-wheel O behind thearm K, and when in the position of rest allows the arm K to be drawninto its backward position by falling into a recessflc formed in theback of the arm K. The lower side of the notch is in the form of an arcof a circle preferably concentric with that described by the revolutionof the pin k thus allowing the pin k to be carried with the wheel 0through the first portion of its revolution without affecting the arm K.The upper edge of the notch however, is'rectangular, and when thewheel Ohas nearly completed its revolution the pin 70 comes into contact withthe back of the arm K, movingit forward until the pin has reached therecess k when the arm is again drawn backward by means of the spring k.

Upon one side of the wheel H is provided an extension, h which, whilethe slot h is in a position to break the auxiliary circuit, projectsinto thepath of the arm K. Then the arm K is thrown forward by therevolution of the signal-transmitting wheel 0 it strikes against theprojection 7L and carries the wheel H forward a sufficient distance tocause the slot or recess 7L to pass completely under the contactspring Iand bring the wheel again into contact I therewith, thus closing thecircuit immediately and before the signal-transmitting wheel hascompleted its revolution. The armature F is thereupon released from thepoles of its mag- .net F, and the arm f locks the path of thesignal-transmitting mechanism, in the manner already described.

For the purpose of allowing the wheel H to be moved forward by means ofthe arm K independently of the clock mechanism, I mount the formerloosely upon the shaft h and provide a coupling-pin, I, which projectsfrom beneath the disk H through a slot, 1 in the rim of the toothedwheel H, which conveys the movementof the time-train to the shaft h. Thepin l is normally engaged by the wheel H at one extremity of the slot,and the disk H is caused to revolve therewith. The slot, however, is ofsufficient length to allow the disk H to be at any time moved forward asufficient distance to cause the notch h to pass completely across anygiven point. It will be seen, thus, that when the contact-springl hasreached the notch h the wheel H maybe moved forward a sufficientdistance to bring the spring again into contact with the wheel withoutinterfering with the movement ofthe clock mechanism. When the wheel hasthus been moved forward by the arm K it will remain stationary until thewheel H has been caused by the time-train to pass through a distanceequal to that through which the wheel H was carried by the arm K. Itwill then be engaged by the coupling-pin l and carried forward in thesame manner as before.

For convenience in testing the apparatus at other than the normal statedintervals, I insert in the conductor, connecting the contactspring Iwith the binding-post Z, a switch, P, for breaking the shunt-circuit byhand when desired.

By adjusting the handy of thetime-piece in any required position withreference to the notch formed in the circuit-breaking wheelH, it isevident that the circuit may be caused to be broken at any required timeby causing the notch to pass benea h the contact-brush I at that moment.

It is evident that the automatically-operating device for actuating, thecircuit-breaking wheel at regularly-recurring intervals may be appliedwithout modification to signal-boxes other-than those of fire andburglar alarm systemsas, for example, to those of the ordinary districtmessenger systems in use in large cities.

I claim as my inventionp 1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of. a main line, a series of signal-boxes eachcontaining automatic mechanism for transmitting a designatingstationsignal over said line, and means, substantially such asdescribed, for automatically settingin action each of said transmittingmechanisms at independent and regularly-recurring intervals.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinhefore set forth, of a mainline, automatic I mechanism for transmitting determinate signals throughsaid main line, an electro-magnet incl udedin the electric circuit ofsaid main line for controlling said automatic mechanism, anormally'closed shunt-conductor spanning'said electro-magnet, and acircuit-break er automatically brought into action bycontinuously-operating mechanism for actuating said electro-magnet byinterrupting the shuntconductor.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a mainline, automatic mechanism for transmitting determinate signals throughsaid main line, an electro-magnet included in the electric circuit ofsaid main line for controlling said automatic mechanism, anormally-closed shunt-conductor spanning said electro-magnet, acircuit-breaker for actuating said electro-magnet by interrupting theshunt-conductor, and. chronometric apparatus for automatically actuatingthe lastnamed circuit-breaker at determinate times.

4. The combination, substantially as hereinbet'ore set forth, of thecontinuously-revolving disk having an extension at one side,circuitconnections, substantially such as described, thecircuit-breaking Wheel, and the arm operated by said Wheel atdeterminate intervals, to engage said extension and turn said diskthrough a portion of a revolution.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 28th day ofJuly, A. D. 1882.

GEORGE F. BULEN.

\Vitnesses DANIEL W. EDGECOMB, CHARLES A. TERRY.

